Stages & staging hire
Deck systems, covered stages and podiums for bands, speeches and shows. Delivered, set up and collected by suppliers who cover your patch.
Stage hire typically costs £350 to £700 for a 6m × 4m deck stage, and £800 to £2,500 per day for a covered mobile stage suitable for live bands outdoors. Indoor riser decks for speeches start around £150. Covered stages need level ground and clear vehicle access.
Staging splits into two different products. Deck staging (modular platforms, usually 2m × 1m sections at adjustable heights) covers speeches, ceremonies, catwalks and indoor bands. Covered outdoor stages (trailer stages or roofed truss systems) are what a festival or outdoor gig actually needs: rain protection for instruments and PA is not optional in the UK.
The right questions are: who is on it, what do they bring, and does it need a roof? A string quartet is happy on 4m × 3m of deck. A six-piece covers band wants 8m × 6m under cover with power distribution close by. Add wheelchair ramps, handrails and steps as specific line items, and stairs or ramps on both sides for anything with a running order.
What it costs
| Item | Typical guide price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor riser 3×2m, carpeted | £150–£300 | |
| Deck stage 6×4m with steps | £350–£700 | |
| Covered mobile/trailer stage | £800–£2,500 / day | towed in, hydraulic roof |
| Festival roof system with wings | £2,500+ / day | crewed build |
| Wheelchair ramp module | £80–£180 |
Guide prices exclude VAT and vary with season, region and site access. Quotes from suppliers are always the real number.
Stages & staging hire across the launch corridor
Local pages for every corridor town, with the same honest ratios and local site knowledge.
Stages & staging hire: questions organisers ask
What size stage does a live band need?
A rough rule is 2 sqm per performer plus backline space: a 4-piece band works on 6m × 4m, a 6 to 8 piece function band is happier on 8m × 6m. Drum risers and keyboard rigs eat space fast, so ask the band for their stage plot and pass it straight to the supplier.
Do outdoor stages come with power?
Usually not: the stage arrives as a structure, and power comes from your generator plan. Suppliers will state what the PA and lighting need (commonly one or two 32A or 63A feeds by the stage). Coordinate the stage, PA and generator suppliers on one plan, which is exactly what the EventSpeed optimiser does.
How long does stage setup take?
A trailer stage folds out in 1 to 2 hours with a small crew. Modular deck at ground height takes about an hour per 25 sqm. Roofed truss festival stages are a different world: allow a full day or more with certified riggers.
Can I put a stage on grass?
Yes: deck systems have adjustable legs for modest slopes, and trailer stages carry levelling jacks. What matters is ground bearing: soft, wet grass under a heavy trailer stage calls for trackway or spreader plates, so mention ground conditions when you book.
